Australia
66
Match Complete
Italy
6
| N. Cleary |  | 79 | ||
| L. Collins |  | 79 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 75 | ||
| J. Nanai | | 73 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 68 | ||
| C. Graham | | 67 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 59 | ||
| C. Murray | | 57 | ||
| 54 | | J. Campagnolo | ||
| 53 | | R. Palumbo | ||
| N. Cleary | | 51 | ||
| L. Martin | | 50 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 47 | ||
| I. Yeo | | 45 | ||
| M. Taulagi | | 39 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 37 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 35 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 29 | ||
| C. Graham | | 27 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 19 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 18 | ||
| M. Taulagi | | 11 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 6 |
| 12 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 9 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Australia wind up their preparations for the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals this morning when they take on Italy at Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30am (AEDT).
Australia and New Zealand appear to be on track for a blockbuster RLWC semi-final clash in a few weeks’ time, so every match is crucial in the lead-up. Aside from the result, the Australian coaching staff will be looking at standout performances on an individual level too as the best 17 starts to take shape.
Australia demolished Scotland 84-0, last weekend and will be looking for a similar result this morning. They won’t be looking to take shortcuts, however, with the Kangaroos looking to get ruck dominance before they get the backline into gear.
Harry Grant will be missed in that respect but Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray will all create speed around the ruck.
Mal Meninga is resting five players from last week’s win, with the team named getting their final chance to press for selection. The halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary has created plenty of interest, with Cameron Munster a certainty to be named in the first quarter-final.
Italy were touched up 60-4 by Fiji last start, so they will certainly have their hands full against the Kangaroos.
The Italian squad is quite eclectic, featuring players from the local Italian league, the UK and Australia, predominantly in the second tier. Nathan Brown is the sole player with the NRL experience in the side.
Prediction
As good as this World Cup is, there have been plenty of mismatches to date and this will be no different.
The Kangaroos will be out to better their result from last weekend and put on another cricket score.
Australia to win by 80.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30am (AEDT)
Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
TV: Fox League (502)
Live stream: Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports
Odds: Australia $1.01, Italy $151 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
1. James Tedesco (c), 19. Campbell Graham, 10. Jack Wighton, 12. Matt Burton, 23. Murray Taulagi, 2. Daly Cherry-Evans, 14. Nathan Cleary, 6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 3. Ben Hunt, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 11. Cameron Murray, 21. Liam Martin, 24. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 4. Valentine Holmes, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Reserves: 8. Latrell Mitchell, 22. Jeremiah Nanai
Italy
1. Luke Polselli, 2. Richard Lepori, 3. Daniel Atkinson, 4. Ethan Natoli, 5. Jake Maizen, 6. Jack Campagnolo, 7. Radean Robinson, 8. Alec Susino, 9. Dean Parata, 10. Anton Iaria, 12. Brenden Santi, 16. Gioele Celerino, 13. Nathan Brown (c)
Interchange: 14. Joe Tramontana, 15. Luca Moretti, 19. Luke Hodge, 20. Jack Colovatti
Reserves: 17. Ronny Palumbo, 18. Kyle Pickering
Kanye East
Guest
Schure ish Kenny. Schlippery condischions, schloppy play and a schlow play of the ball all contributed to a schlow schtart from the Ausschies.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Great score line. Nicely done David.
Mitcher
Guest
This is the content we need. But don’t deserve.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog tonight and I will be back for the early morning finals next weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
The backline was a little clunky with Addo-Carr likely to be back for the first-choice team
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thanks David . Appreciate your efforts.
David Holden
Roar Guru
We didn't really learn much from Cleary vs DCE. Cleary probably gets the jump for next week
David Holden
Roar Guru
As expected, the Kangaroos have won comfortably tonight despite a sub par performance at times. So, who were the best for Australia? The likes of Murray, Martin, Yeo and Nanai were really good for Australia. With Crichton coming back, the Australian selectors have some tough calls
79
79
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME AUSTRALIA DEFEAT ITALY 66-6
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT’ CONVERSION AUSTRALIA Cleary converts after the full time siren Australia 66 Italy 6
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Shixty shix to shix. What do you reckon she’s a bit of a shet up?!!!!
David Holden
Roar Guru
80′ TRY AUSTRALIA Cotter with a charge. Yeo goes close. Crash play and Collins scores. TRY Australia 64 Italy 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
79′ Australia defence muscles up. One on one strip Australia 60 Italy 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
78′ Graham from the scrum. Nanai with a carry. Hunt almost through. Kick with Robinson Australia 60 Italy 6
75
David Holden
Roar Guru
77′ Polselli loses the ball first tackle Australia 60 Italy 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
77′ Collins hits it back. Cotter follows. Hunt with a dart. Burton has put it down and Australia challenge the call. It is unsuccessful Australia 60 Italy 6
73